It’s National Great Outdoors month!

We’re inviting you to come outside and play. Read on to learn some of the health benefits of getting outside and get to know some of Mother Earth’s local treasures.

Why get outside?

We all know it feels good to spend time in nature, but we may not have thought about the biological processes that make it so. First and foremost, we need to remember that we ARE nature. Being “in” it is our default state of being. But, we’ve used our very big brains to create walls, both mental and physical, between ourselves and the world we live in. When we spend time out there, it sustains our bodies, minds, and souls.

Health Benefits

Let’s explore some of the ways your body is built to get good things from the Earth. (Besides the air you breathe, the water you drink, and the food you eat, of course!

Vitamin D

Did you know that your body makes its own nutrients? Specifically, we make our own vitamin D, which is an essential hormone for bone health. It helps us to absorb calcium and phosphorus. It’s also believed to contribute to heart health, muscle health, and even immune function. The National Institute of Health even found statistical correlations between higher Vitamin D levels and better COVID-19 outcomes.

To make this super nutrient, our bodies require sunlight. It’s no surprise considering virtually all life on Earth owes its energy to our very own star. Of course we benefit from feeling its rays directly. Unfortunately, all skin is also still susceptible to damage from harmful UV radiation, which means you should still use sunscreen when going outside. Spend a few minutes allowing your bare skin to feel the sun, but a mineral-based sunscreen will be your friend for longer excursions outside.

Grounding

You’ve probably heard someone tell another person to “touch grass” when they’ve gotten sucked into an Internet rabbit hole. It’s actually good advice. Heading outside barefoot is known as grounding or “earthing,” and many people believe it has positive impacts on health. The theory goes that when you touch the Earth, you discharge extra electrons that build up from constant exposure to wires, screens, WiFi, 5G, and generally all things that buzz.

Doing this is said to help with inflammation and improve sleep. For travelers, it’s a tried and true method for relieving jet lag when you arrive in a new place. Align your energy with the Earth’s and see how she can help you feel better!

Ionized air

Forests, large bodies of water, and especially waterfalls are all sources of ionized air. This is another benefit where the Earth’s abundant electromagnetic energy helps to offset some of the negative aspects of modern life. In fact, this one is a strong suit of our beloved salt room!

The ions released in nature help to clean the air. They do this by attaching to pollutants and removing them from the atmosphere. They provide additional benefits by increasing our ability to use the Oxygen we breathe in and boosting our mood. As if you needed any excuse to spend some time taking in falling water or rolling waves.

What should I do?

Ok, so you’re outside. Now what? We’ve got some suggestions for things you can do right here in York or wherever you find yourself.

Just be

This one might seem obvious, but our favorite thing to do outside is just be. Take a walk. Sit on the grass. Breathe deeply. In fact, do it without your phone. Do it without taking a picture. If you absolutely must document your time, bring a notebook. Write about the Earth. Write about your feelings. Draw a bird you see. Just dedicate some time to being alone with and a part of Mother Earth.

Geocaching

Not every excursion needs to be tech free, though. In fact, your phone might help you find adventure if you give geocaching a try. Geocaching is an activity practiced around the world during which you go on a real live scavenger hunt for “treasure.” Connect with other geocachers and rack up achievements while spending time in the great outdoors. Geocaching.com will help you get started in York or wherever else you may be exploring.

Foraging

There are few better ways to get close to nature than to explore her many gifts. Foraging involves seeking out edible plants and mushrooms while hiking. Not only was it one of our primary ways of feeding ourselves for millenia, but it can help you head home with a delicious meal. We recommend starting out with a guided hike to learn the ropes. Mushrooms can be especially tricky to identify, and you don’t want to mix up the great ones with the poisonous ones.

Where should I go?

Richard M. Nixon County Park has a name you’re not likely to forget. It also has over six miles of hiking trails over 213 acres. Enjoy the woodlands, flora, and fauna of Central Pennsylvania without heading too far out of town. The park is also home to a nature center offering educational programming and an impressive collection of taxidermied wildlife.

Gifford Pinchot State Park just north of York on 83 has something for every level of outdoor explorer. You can swim in the lake, hike through the woods, fish, boat, or even grill out with your family. The park has camping space available, or you can drop by for a day trip.

Cordorus State Park to the South also boasts a beautiful lake for water sports. It’s a great location to hike, bike, and camp. It also has a 54 hole disc golf course.

Don’t stop there, though! York County has a great website for discovering the remaining local, state, and county parks in the area.